Humidifier



Feb. 13, 1934. R. A. BRODHECKER HUMIDIFIER Filed March 22, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 13, 1934. R. A. BRODHECKER HUMIDIFIER Filed March 22, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fang/v1) 6. Bean HEC/{E/E:

(IttorneQ Patented F eb. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

The object of my present invention, broadly speaking, is the adaptation of certain useful scientific principles, in the production of humidity by maximum artificial atomization of water, or

a hydrate, for application to art, mechanical, and prophylactic purposes, in orderto obtain the maximum of efiiciency, and other desirable results, with a minimum of expense for installation and production.

More particularly stated, my object is to provide a prophylatical device adapted to convert fluid into vapor by atomization, to be taken up by a current of air and delivered to where it will be diffused and utilized in conditioning the air in an inclosure, whereby the air will be brought to its maximum of efficiency for human use.

In this particular instance I have confined the showing and the purposes of my invention to means for humidifying air to be employed personally, whereby the air entering a building, or the like, will not only be of the proper temperature, by the usual means, but also will contain the proper moisture to meet the proper requirements of the human system. However, it is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the purposes stated above, as it may be employed for various other purposes to which it is applicable.

Other particular objects and advantages of my invention, and other mechanical constructions to which my invention may be applied, will suggest themselves in the course of the following description, and that which is new, and which involves invention, will be made clear in the following description and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

One manner of utilizing the principles of my invention is shown in the accompanying twosheets of drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my complete assembly.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of thesame.

Figure 3 is a detail view, showing the motor and its coupling, taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. l, but on an enlarged scale.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of my assembly, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional plan view of the assembly, taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Figure 6 is a central vertical sectional view of the interior mechanism of my construction, showing the predominant features alone.

Figure 7 is a detail elevation, showing the motor coupling, with the parts separated from each other.

Figure 8 is a bottom view of the upper, or motor member, of the coupling, viewed from the line 8-8 of Fig. 7; and

Figure 9 is a plan view of the lower member of the coupling, viewed from the line 9-9 of Fig. 7. v 7

Similar indices designate like parts throughout the several views.

The essential mechanismof my construction, for instance, is supported by a floor X, as for 5 instance the floor of a basement, or the like. Numeral 1 denotes the base for my container, ,or tank, that is for my entire mechanism. Said base rests on the floor X, in this instance, and it may be secured thereto if so desired. Mounted on the base 1 is a tank, and in this instance for the purpose of efficiency and economy, I have adopted a particular form thereof: The horizontal section of said tank is elliptical in shape, and it comprises the bottom 2, with a vertical casing 3 extending upwardly from around the periphery of the bottom 2, and it is autogeniously, or otherwise, attached thereto. Secured to and extending horizontally across the top of the minimum diameter of said casing, is the deck 4. Hinged to the respective longitudinal edges of the deck 4 are the closures or lids 5 and 6, to afiord access to the interior of the tank, for the purpose of installation, adjustment, repair, or the substitution of the various parts located in the tank.

Extending from one end of said tank, and leading thereinto, is an air-inlet pipe A, and oppositely disposed, with relation to the pipe A, and in alignment therewith, and leading from the other end of the tank, is the downwardly and forwardly 90. directed outlet pipe B, which leads into the jacket C, which latter surrounds the furnace E, and provides the fresh-air space surrounding the furnace.

Rigidly secured in the center of the bottom 2, and extending upwardly therefrom, is the journal boxing 7, which provides a socket and bearing, in which is revolvably mounted the journal 8, which is formed by the lower portion of the vertical shaft 9,which extends upwardly through the center of the deck 4, and through the bearing 10, which is secured on the center of the deck 4.

Formed in the center of said socket of the boxing 7 is a cavity, for the ball 11 to freely operate in the bottom thereof. A hardened metal stem 12 is secured in and depends from the center of the lower end of the journal 8, the same fitting in said cavity of the boxing '7, and it is supported by the ball 11. The wall of the cup-shaped portion of the boxing '7 projects upwardly around the journal 8, which fits snugly and revolvably therein, as shown in Fig. 6.

Numeral 13 denotes the supporting collar, which is located around the lower portion of the shaft 9, to which it is secured by means of setscrews 13 and it is provided with a downwardly extending flange 13' which surround the Wall of the cup-shaped portion of boxing 7, and it projects lower down than does the journal 8, for the purpose of excluding fluid from entering the journal bearing. Formed centrally through the shaft 9, and continuing a short distance into the bearing 8, and then directed at an angle outwardly through the periphery of the journal 8, is an oil duct 14, providing means for the lubrication of the journal, as hereinafter explained.

Rigidly secured to the upper portion of the collar 13 are the arms 15, which project laterally, with their outer portions turned downwardly at an angle, with an aperture formed through said down turned portions. A tube or conduit 16 is carried by each of the arms 15, each of which has an unobstructed channel extending therethrough. The inner end portion of each of said tubular conduits curves downwardly and projects forwardly, that is to say: their inner intake ends 16 are formed to be directed toward the line of travel when the shaft 9 is rotated in the y direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5.

It is also to be understood that the imier lower portions of said conduits are located slightly below the normal surface of the water in the tank, but their outer, or discharge ends 16*, are above a the normal water level, as is indicated in Fig. 4.

Extending outwardly from the collar 13 is the disc-like baffle 19, havinga downwardly extending flange 19, forming its peripheral portion, and having apertures in said flange portion through which said conducts" extend. Said battle is secured to the arms 15, and it prevents the water which may be agitated, by contact of the inner ends of the conduits therewith, from being distributed until it has passed through said conduits.

Located outwardly from the line of travel of the outer ends of the conduits 16, extending continuously around and concentric with the collar 13, located above the bottom 2 of the tank, and disposed vertically, is the fine-mesh screen 17, the same being supported by a plurality of legs 18, which are secured to the bottom 2.

The center, vertically, of said screen 17 is located directly opposite, or nearly so, to the discharge or outer ends of the conduits 16, and it is spaced some distance therefrom.

Secured to and extending upwardly from the base 1, and located adjoining the longitudinal sides of the tank, are the standards 20 and 21, with their upper portions turned inwardly, to-

" Ward each other and projecting horizontally above the deck 4 and to near the center thereof, in order to form supports for a motor which must be concentric with the shaft 9. Letter F designates an electric motor, which is located between the flanged inner ends of the standards 20 and 21, to which it is secured by means of the screws 22, whereby it may be easily installed or removed. The lower end of the shaft G of said motor carries a disc 23, which has two depending pintles, 24 and 25, attached to its lower face. The shaft 9, which is in alignment with the shaft G, has attached to its upper end the disc 26, which is identical with the disc 23 with which it will contact, except that it has two eyes 27 and 28formed therethrough, to receive the respective pintles 24 and 25, or conversely. When the motor F is be ing installed in operative position the pintles 24 and 25 are to be inserted in the respective eyes 27 and 28, whereby the shaft 9 will be operated by said motor, when the motor is in action. Said motor is to be operated by an electric current, to be supplied thereto by the wires 29 and 30, in the usual manner.

1111.011 inlet 14' is formed in the disc 23, which forms a continuation of the oil duct 14, and it provides means whereby oil may be injected for lubricating the parts associated with the journal 8 'such as the stem 12, and the ball 11.

Also, an oil inlet 10 is formed in the bearing 10, for the purpose of affording means to lubricate the same.

Located in and near one end of the tank is a water inlet valve 31, which is automatically controlled by the float 32 which is carried by the water I, in the usual manner. The water supply, under pressure, is conducted from a source of supply, to said valve by the inlet pipe 33. The released water, after passing through said valve 31, passes downwardly through the pipe 35, and is released near the bottom of tank. A guard 36, formed with apertures therethrough below the water level surrounds the float 32, in order to prevent the surface of the water, when agitated, from effecting the proper functioning of the float.

Said valve and float are arranged to automatically retain the water in the tank at a predetermined height or level.

Located above the normal surface of the water in the tank, there is provided an overflow or discharge pipe 34, for the purpose of disposing of surplus water, but this functions only in the event of an emergency, as for instance, if the valve 31, or the float should fail to function properly.

If it be desired to accelerate the passage of air, through the tank and to its final destination, I have installed a fan J in the pipe A, the same to be electrically operated, by which the velocity of the air may be increased or diminished as desired.

Operation It is to be understood that when the furnace E is heated, a current of fresh air will normally and constantly be flowing through the pipes A and B, and therefore through the above described tank which, by reason of its enlarged size, with relation to the pipes A and B, the flow of air will not be in the least retarded by my mechanism, even though it be not functioning.

Now, if the motor F be placed in operation, and the proper water level is attained, and maintained, it is evident that the rotation of the shaft 9, carrying with it the conduits 16 will, by their gyration cause the water, or other fluid, from the supply in the tank, to be forced into the lower ends of said conduits, and then be taken up by the centrifugal force developed by the speed exerted by the motor, and forced through the conduits, and finally expelled'from the outer ends of the conduits with force whereby it will be partly broken up, by expansion, and distended in volume, and in that condition it will impinge the screen 1'7 with force whereby it will be still further fractionated and atomized, and vaporized, and it will be taken up by and become an-integral part of the air passing through the tank. And, after the above the humidified-air will be carried, by the natural, or forced, movement of the air into the furnace jacket where it will be heated by the furnace, and will then be forced onward into a room, or elsewhere, where it will be utilized.

By reason of the treatment just described the air entering a room will be properly humidified. However, the degree of humidity of the air thus treated may be varied, more or less, depending on the speed of the motor, or by the amount of fluid allowed to flow through the conduits, or otherwise as may suggest themselves.

Finally, I would call attention to the fact that in this instance there is a fine balance of utility, compactness, economy, efficiency, ance, which appeals to those who appreciate the value of properly humidified air in the home, the office, and the factory. It is to be understood that various changes may be made in the several details of my construction herein set forth, and in the application of the principles set forth, without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof which are new and useful.

Having now fully described the essential requisites of my invention, and one means of carrying out the same in a practical manner, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In combination with a water container adapted to contain water in its lower portion, and means for automatically maintaining the water at a predetermined level; a shaft mounted to extend upwardly from the interior of the container, means for rotating said shafts, arms radiating from said shaft, conduits carried by said arms with the inner ends of said conduits located below the water level in the container and each having an unobstructed passage-way therethrough, with the inner ends of said conduits directed toward the line of travel as the shaft revolves whereby when operated in one direction water will be forced into said conduits by reason of the gyration of the conduits and the normal inertia of the water, and by reason of centrifugal force the water will be forced outwardly through and expelled from the outer ends of said conduits, means for atomizing said water expelled from said conduits, and means for forcing a current of air through said container whereby it .will be impregnated with the moisture developed by the water contacting with said atomizing means.

2. A humidifier including a water container, a vertical shaft, arms extending outwardly from said shaft, conduits carried by said arms and adapted to permit fluid to enter their inner ends by reason of said inner ends being in contact with a body of water as said shaft is rotated whereby as the shaft is rotated the water entering the inner ends of said conduits will be carried outwardly through said conduits and discharged from the outer ends thereof by centrifugal force, and a screen surrounding and spaced from the path of the outer ends of said conduits and against which the water contacts as it discharges from said conduits whereby the water is formed into a mist and is mixed with the air moving in proximity of said screen, and means for rotating said shaft.

3. A humidifier comprising a container for an inert body of water maintained at a fixed level therein, means for conducting air to be humidified through said container, a tube forming a conduit having its lower portion immersed in said body of water, means for carrying said tube bodily around in a circular horizontal path whereby fluid from said body of water will be forced into the immersed end of said tube, carried therethrough, and forced from the outer end and endur-.

means for revolving said shaft whereby the wa.

ter entering the inner end of said tube will be forced through and discharged from the outer end of said tube by centrifugal force, and a relatively stationary means by which the water issuing from the outer end of said tube will be atomized and mixed with the air passing through the container.

5. A humidifier comprising a fluid container, means for automatically maintaining the fluid at a substantially fixed level in said container, a plurality of tubular conduits radiating from a common center with their inner ends located outwardly from said center and immersed in said fluid and with their outer end portions located above the fluid level in the container, a shaft by which said conduits are carried, means for revolving said shaft whereby the fluid in the container will enter the lower inner ends of said conduits and will be forced therethrough and ejected from the outer ends thereof by centrifugal force generated by the revolving of said shaft and transmitted to said conduits, and means for further atomizing the fluid after it has been expelled from said conduits.

6. An air humidifier including a water container in which the water is maintained at a substantially constant level, a rotatable member associated with said container, means for operating said rotatable member by power applied thereto, water conducting means projecting at a slight angle upwardly and outwardly from horizontal and spaced from said rotatable member and carried revolvably thereby with the lower inner endthereof located below the water level in the container and with the outer end thereof located above said water level, relatively stationary atomizing means surrounding and spaced from the outer end of said water conducting means whereby the water will be forced through said water conducting means and expelled against said atomizing means, means for permitting the air to be humidified to pass through said container, and means for entirely closing said container except the means for permitting the passage therethrough of the air to be humidified.

7. A device of the nature set forth, comprising a water containing tank, a shaft extending vertically in said tank, arms extending laterally from said shaft, a tube carried by each of said arms and located outwardly from said shaft and projecting in a substantially horizontal direction with the inner ends of said tubes turned at an angle whereby they will be located below the water level in the tank and directed toward the line of travel thereof when the shaft is revolved in one direction, the outer ends of said tubes being located above the water level in the tank whereby when the shaft is revolved in one direction the centrifugal force, generated by the gymtion of said tubes, will cause water to be drawn from inside the tank and expelled through said I tubes in a partly atomized condition, and means located inside said tank against which the water expelled from said tubes will impinge and be fully atomized after it leaves said tubes.

8. An air humidifier including a water container tank, means by which a current of air to be humidified may be directed through said tank and above the water level therein, a series of tubes forming a unitary structure, means for collectively rotating said tubes around a common center, the inner ends of said tubes being located in the water contained in said tank with their outer ends located above the water contained in said tank whereby when the tubes are carried rotatably, in one direction, water from the tank will be forced through said tubes and expelled from the outer ends thereof, a bafile plate concentric with said common center and located above the inner portions of said tubes, and means surrounding the path of the outer ends of said tubes to be impinged by the water as it is expelled from said tubes and by which the expelled water will be atomized and become mixed with the air passing through the water container.

9. A humidifier comprising a circular tank, means for normally closing the top of the tank, a motor located outside and suspended above said tank, means for detachably securing the motor in operative position with relation to said tank, air conducting means extending into and from said tank, a shaft adapted to be rotated by said motor and extending downwardly into said tank, automatic means for maintaining water in said tank at a constant level below said air conducting means, tubes radiating from said shaft and adapted, when the shaft is rotated in one direction, to receive water from inside said tank and whereby the water will be forced through and from the outer ends of said tubes by centrifugal force generated by the rotation of said shaft, and means for atomizing the water after it has passed through said tubes, all substantially as set forth.

10. A humidifier comprising a circular tank, means for normally closing the top of the tank, a motor located above and outside the tank and carried thereby, means for detachably securing the motor in operative position with relation to said tank, air conducting means extending into and fromsaid tank, a shaft adapted to be operated by said motor and extending downwardly into said tank, automatic means for maintaining water in said tank at a constant level below said air conducting means, tubes spaced from and radiating from around said shaft and adapted, when the shaft is rotated, to receive water from said tank and carry it in a substantially horizontal direction by means of centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the said shaft when operated by saidmotor.

11. An air humidifier comprising a water container, means for automatically maintaining water at a constant level in said container, a vertical shaft extending downwardly into and below the water level in the container, an impervious disc forming a baffie plate which is concentric with said shaft and adapted to rotate therewith, arms carried with said shaft, conduits having their inner portions carried by said arms with their inner ends located below the water level in the water container and with their outer ends supported above the water level in the container whereby when said shaft is rotated in one direction water will be taken into the inner ends of said conduits, forced therethrough, and expelled from the outer ends thereof by centrifugal force, means for atomizing the water expelled from said conduits, and means for conducting a current of air into and from said container whereby the air passing through said container will be impregnated with moisture developed by the water issuing from said conduits and after it has contacted with said atomizing means, all substantially as shown and described.

12. A humidifier comprising a water container, 2. vertical shaft extending downwardly into the container, means for supporting and preventing oscillation of the shaft, arms carried by and radiating from said shaft, a splash disc located concentric with said shaft and adapted to be carried revolvably therewith and located above said arms, conduits supported and carried by said arms, and means located outside of the container for rotating said shaft, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

HOLLAND A. BRODHECKER. 

